寸有所长 cun you suo chang Each has his own strengths

Explanation

比喻人或事物各有其长处，不可相互轻视。

It means that every person or thing has its own strengths, and one should not underestimate anyone or anything.

Origin Story

话说春秋战国时期，有个叫晏子的名相，他身材矮小，常常被人嘲笑。一次，齐国使者去楚国访问，楚王为了羞辱晏子，故意安排他从城门下的小门出入。晏子不慌不忙地说：“我去的是狗国，当然应该走狗门。”楚王听了，觉得很没面子，只好让晏子从大门进。这个故事告诉我们，虽然晏子身材矮小，但他才华横溢，是齐国不可或缺的名臣。这正应了那句话：寸有所长。每个人都有自己的特长，即使在某些方面不如人，但只要发挥自己的优势，就能有所成就。

huashuo chunqiu zhanguo shiqi,you ge jiao yanzi de mingxiang,ta shencai aoxiao,changchang bei ren chaoxiao.yici,qiguo shizhe qu chuguofangwen,chwang wei le xiu ru yanzi,guyi anpai ta cong chengmen xia de xiaomen chururu.yanzi bu huang bu mang di shuo:"wo qu de shi gouguo,dangran yinggai zou goumen."chwang ting le,jue de hen mei mianzi,zhihao rang yanzi cong damen jin.zhege gushi gaosu women,suiran yanzi shencai aoxiao,dan ta caihua hengyi,shi qiguo buke queque de mingchen.zhe zheng ying le na ju hua:cun you suo chang.meige ren dou you zijide techang,jishi zai mouxie fangmian buru ren,dan zhi yao fa hui zijide youshi,jiu neng you suo chengjiu.

During the Warring States period of ancient China, there was a famous minister named Yan Zi, who was short in stature and often ridiculed. Once, when a messenger from Qi visited Chu, the king of Chu, in an attempt to humiliate Yan Zi, arranged for him to enter through a small gate usually used for dogs. Unfazed, Yan Zi replied, "I am visiting the country of dogs, so naturally I should enter through the dog gate." This put the King of Chu in an embarrassing position, and he let Yan Zi enter through the main gate. This story illustrates that although Yan Zi was short, his talents were unmatched, making him an indispensable minister for Qi. This exemplifies the saying: everyone has their own strengths. Each person possesses unique talents; even if they lack in some areas, by focusing on their strengths, they can achieve great things.

Usage

用于赞扬人或事物各有长处。

yongyu zanyong ren huo shiwu ge you changchu

Used to praise that people or things have their own strengths.

Examples

• 人各有志，尺有所短，寸有所长。

  ren ge you zhi,chi you suo duan,cun you suo chang

  Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.

• 虽然他学历不高，但在实际操作上却寸有所长。

  suiran ta xueli bu gao,dan zai shiji caozuo shang que cun you suo chang

  Although he is not well-educated, he has his strengths in practice.

Related Idioms

• 尺有所短

Opposite Idioms

• 一无是处